Match Preview: Brentford vs Birmingham City

The Bees are back on home soil tonight for the second time in four days with Birmingham City the visitors to West London. Following Saturday's draw at home to The Royals, Dean Smith's men head into tonight's game back inside the top six. Below you will find all the match information, team news, and more

THE OPPOSITION

It looks set to be another difficult season, on and off the pitch, for Blues as they head into the autumn months with just one win to their name so far this campaign. As is always the way with the Sky Bet Championship, that victory came away from home at a previously unbeaten Leeds United ten days ago.

As well as picking up just one win, Garry Monk's side have also failed to score in six of their 11 matches in all competitions this term; behind Che Adams and Lukas Jutkiewicz no other Birmingham player has found the net more than once.

Off the pitch, threats of a potential 12 to 15 point deduction loom over St Andrew's for breaching financial fair play regulations. Those stormclouds severly hamstrung Monk in the transfer window with Lee Camp and Kristian Pedersen (pictured above) the only permament arrivals this summer.

TEAM NEWS

Saïd Benrahma serves a one-game suspension tonight following his red card on Saturday while Dean Smith will also be without the long-term injured duo of Rico Henry and Emiliano Marcondes. Josh Clarke has also missed the last couple of games with a hamstring injury but Moses Odubajo is back in full contention after playing an hour against Arsenal last Wednesday night.

For the visitors, Isaac Vassell and David Davis are definitely out with long-term injuries while Gary Gardner was withdrawn at half-time on Saturday after picking up a gash to his head.

THE MANAGER

Garry Monk arrived at St Andrew's in March, having left Middlesbrough in December.

The central defender began his playing career with Torquay United before moving on to Southampton in 1996. Following loan spells with Stockport County, Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday, he joined Barnsley on a permanent deal. After making just three appearances for The Tykes, he joined League Two side Swansea City in 2004 and went on to play in every division for The Swans until they reached the top flight in 2011, the majority of his later appearances coming as captain.

Stepping into the dugout, the 39-year-old saved his former club from relegation and took them to the Europa League Round of 32 having taken over from Michael Laudrup in 2014. The following year saw league doubles over both Arsenal and Manchester United as Swansea finished eighth. After a run of one win in 11 games, he left Swansea in 2015 after more than 12 years with the Welsh club. A season-long stay at Leeds United, where he guided The Whites to their highest league finish in six years, and a short spell at Middlesbrough preceded his arrival in the second city earlier this year.